[ April 07, 2022 ] The last full week of the legislative session was this past week and was it a doozy! By "doozy" I mean a lot of long days and discussions on bills that have come over from the Senate and that we have amended... (they don't like that) and getting the bills we have passed out of the Senate committee and through their Rules committee process and onto the Senate floor for a vote. Wish I had the step thing set up on my phone; I think I would have set a record for me walking back and forth.

I am an officer on the House Rules committee, and we review the work of every committee and even make changes to their work ?. (they don?t like that). The Rules committee is the gate keeper for a floor vote on a bill. So, as you can imagine a lot of people want to talk to all of us about what their bill can do for you, or in some cases to you. It?s a very big honor to be a member of that group with a lot of responsibility.

When you read this, we will be finished, as Monday April 4 is our last day. It usually a long day lasting up until midnight. Whew. When you see me around, I will still have circles under my eyes!

This week we passed a bill which will impact many families who need help. HB 1013, the Mental Health Parity Act, was passed almost unanimously in the House and by all Senators. As a bill like this came through the process of legislation there were a lot of changes made, unmade, and different changes made to make it as good as possible. The basis of this legislation would require equality (parity) for mental health coverage to the same degree as coverage for physical care, to make accessing mental health care services significantly easier for Georgians.

We also unanimously passed Senate Bill 403 to encourage law enforcement partnerships with mental health professionals to improve the handling of situations in which an individual is experiencing a mental health crisis. Under SB 403, Community Service Boards, (like Highland Rivers here) which provide services for mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and addiction, would be directed to establish co-responder programs that would work with local law enforcement agencies responding to emergency calls involving people in a behavioral health crisis.

The House also gave unanimous passage to Senate Bill 562 to prohibit companies owned or operated by the governments of Russia or Belarus from working with our state government. Under this bill, any company that submits a bid or proposal for a state contract would be required to certify that it is not owned, operated, or affiliated with these governments, and a company's false certification would result in civil liability, termination of contract and ineligibility for future contracts. Our state leaders recently announced that Georgia would divest any state investments in Russia, and SB 562 would further reinforce Georgia?s condemnation of the Russian government as Putin continues to senselessly murder and violate the sovereign rights of the Ukrainian people, including women and children.

Of course, we did lots of other work, and if you ask, I will be glad to share all of it with you. During these last days the internet is full of what-ifs and rumors as we work on perfecting bills. I encourage you to reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding legislation that has been discussed or passed so far. You can reach my Capitol office at 404-656-7153, or you can email me directly at rick.jasperse@house.ga.gov.

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your State Representative and legislative voice here at the Capitol.